[WilliCO]

...as my love affair with BMW continues to erode.

BMW used to be something different and special. Still nice cars, but more the same than different now. Makes a lot more sense than it used to to just drive something cheaper.

[David70]

Originally Posted by 24601

Not surprised... Many manufactures are offering free maintenance, some even have extended their terms.

My next car will not be a BMW.

Like who? Best I can tell BMW's new program is still one of the best.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Please check your documentation and report what you find. I'm going on what Cadillac has posted on their website.

PREMIUM CARE MAINTENANCE-
Fully transferrable, the Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance program covers routine oil changes, tire rotations, certain air filter replacements and a thorough Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection for 4 years or 50,000 miles.

So my Cadillac requires less maintenance, they pay for it for 4 years/50k miles and it is transferable if I decide to sell it (this would be a benefit to the new owner and a cost BMW doesn't want to be stuck with).

The BMW requires more maintenance, the new program is for 3 years/36k miles and isn't transferable.

Still not seeing this as a benefit. I guess buying a car that requires more maintenance with a program that ends 14k miles sooner is a positive?

Part of the reason I bought the ATS as my daily is I plan to keep it for 150k miles, my guess is maintenance and repair will be far less from 100-150k miles. I also don't see $2k brake jobs in my future.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Exactly. Most BMWs are leased anyway.
And isn't BMW the most-frequently-leased brand in the US?

Except that many lease for 3 years/15K per....so you wouldn't have some maintenance covered towards the end of the lease.

[Brian_R]

Originally Posted by PARTSFROMERIK

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.

Jesus, the $ figures for a brake service even in this thread are all over the map. The no wipers are petty BS.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by WilliCO

...as my love affair with BMW continues to erode.

BMW used to be something different and special. Still nice cars, but more the same than different now. Makes a lot more sense than it used to to just drive something cheaper.

Or just to say f it - I am getting what want because the in-between option (BMW) is slowly diluting itself - this is just another example.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by PARTSFROMERIK

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.

No...its a car with some amazing driving attributes that make a seemingly mundane task very enjoyable. To pay $4000 per year in maintenance on a 40000 car is just ridiculous.

Just as warranties evolved from basically nothing to the mega warranties we have now, I really thought that this was an evolution that would make the ownership experience both emotionally enjoyable and financially stable.

And please understand...I am a major BMW enthusiast. I own 4 and love each of them for a different reason!!! To me this is a big deal.

Cheers and thanks for your input-mk

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by PARTSFROMERIK

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.

I have some nice ocean front property I'll sell you in Arizona. PM me.

[PARTSFROMERIK]

Originally Posted by Brian_R

Jesus, the $ figures for a brake service even in this thread are all over the map. The no wipers are petty BS.

How? Front brakes (rotors, pads, sensor) are $1546.46 (No labor) Put labor in its about a 2.3 hour job here at 189$/hr, so do the math its upwards of 2100$ after taxes,

[PARTSFROMERIK]

Originally Posted by Alumac

I have some nice ocean front property I'll sell you in Arizona. PM me.

My view from my ocean front apartment in Ibiza suits me well, but thanks for the offer

[Shahdog]

I feel ripped off. And it hasn't even happened yet

Sucks

[pimp4cheddar]

Originally Posted by PARTSFROMERIK

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.

You're missing the point...still. It's been a full day and I have no interest in attempting to explain it.

You're trying to correlate people not being happy about having to fork over (according to you) $3,500-$4,300 a year to people not being able to afford it.

[David70]

Originally Posted by PARTSFROMERIK

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.

Being able to afford something and wanting to pay it are completely different things. Good luck on justifying what you are selling based on how much money the buyer has.

Also, a luxury car is a horrible investment, you had better want it for other reasons. Drops in value faster, costs more to insure, maintain, and repair, it's no more of an investment than an expensive vacation is.

[BIMPY3011]

someone send the poll results to bmw.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Ok. I will break it down to one sentence.

It is a major factor in my decision making process.

You've been a great supporter of the brand. If you do decide to exit and move on over this change in maintenance, we will be sorry to see you go. I hope it doesn't come to that.

[dbworld4k]

Lol @ the dumb polling options.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

1. This is true of all of the premium euro brands.

2. Part of the reason they sell in record numbers is because of the real and perceived value that the maintenance plan offers. When a first time owner faces that first brake job that cost over $1,500 they will run back to their Accord. This is not how you keep the new customer that just dipped their toe into the premium market. Everyone doesn't make $300K per year.

Cheers-mk

1) True. I was responding to someone who questioned BMWs decreasing value. Value-wise compared to 10 or 20 years ago, its a great time to be a car buyer, regardless of brand.

2) That's all you make Seriously, true for some. I paid out of my pocket for brakes for my BMWs for years. I hated paying high prices but rationalized its the price for driving a great car. Never once did I think of switching to Honda. Then I found a great independent mechanic who made these expenses more bearable. Please keep in mind that Honda is not BMWs competition. BMWs competition is not giving free brake jobs. So, unless a BMW owner thinks BMW is less value than the competition otherwise, switching brands over this take away is really not a pure economic decision. For M owners who switch, they should check out the price of AMG brakes before they cut and run.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

To put things into perspective,

Jaguar has a 5 year, 60,000 Free maintenance program.
Volvo has a 3 Year/36,000 free maintenance program.
VW has(had?) a 3 year/36,000 free maintenance program.
Toyota has a 2 Year/25,000 free maintenance program.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by WilliCO

...as my love affair with BMW continues to erode.

BMW used to be something different and special. Still nice cars, but more the same than different now. Makes a lot more sense than it used to to just drive something cheaper.

You are a multiple BMW owner over a 15-year or more time frame. Its always made sense to buy something cheaper, but you went for what you wanted. As long as you can afford it, there at least a chance that you will do it again. Your 535 m-sport is an awesome car. Where else you going to go to get that experience for cheaper?

[Spartikus]

Cadillac has a 4yr 50k maintenance too. Not bad on a 600hp V car.

[F83]

Originally Posted by IndotagSwizz

this is pathetic, my car went over 50k a couple of months ago, made the mistake of not getting extended warranty before going over the 50k, GRANTED 100% MY FAULT, however when I inquired about any extended warranty I could purchase I was told they don't even offer any after the 50k miles, all they offer is one that ONLY COVERS THE ENGINE AND TRASMISSION BUT NOTHING ELSE.... c'mon man they don't believe in their own product at all...why should I???? ......

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by BIMPY3011

someone send the poll results to bmw.

No need. They are not only lurking, they predicted the reaction before the announcement and they probably guess within a couple percent of what the poll indicates. They also know a couple of things more: 1) The emotional responses that feed this poll will subside by the time we actually go make our next car purchase. 2) They know that if BMW is the car you want to drive otherwise, this change is not going to affect the ultimate decision for most buyers since the competitions' plans free maintenance plans are even worse than BMW's new plan. 3) They have predicted how many buyers will actually leave the brand vs how much money they will save and decided to move forward with the decision based on that analysis. These guys and gals know what they are doing. As a business person I really admire their growth from a niche enthusiast player in the 80s to an amazing global brand today. Its incredibly hard to do what they have done and it isn't luck. So, send the poll results. They are already off working on their next decision.

[IndotagSwizz]

Originally Posted by F83